GA SB159

Increases the penalty for providing prohibited items (weapons, drugs, telecommunications devices) to inmates from a mandatory minimum of 2 years to a flat 10-year term of imprisonment, removing the previous 10-year maximum cap and provisions allowing suspension or probation of the sentence.

Creates a new enhanced penalty specifically for employees or contractors of the Department of Corrections who provide prohibited items (including tobacco) to inmates, imposing a mandatory 10-year prison sentence upon conviction.

Increases the penalty for unauthorized photography or recording of a place of incarceration using an unmanned aircraft (drone) for criminal purposes from 1-5 years to 5-10 years imprisonment.

Maintains existing felony penalties of 1-5 years for inmates who possess prohibited items (weapons, drugs, tobacco, telecommunications devices) without authorization, with an exception treating telecommunications device possession as a misdemeanor if the inmate is held on a misdemeanor offense.

Amends Code Section 42-5-18 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, covering correctional institutions of state and counties, and applies to all prisons, jails, probation detention centers, and other incarceration facilities whether state, federal, local, or privately operated.